Ohio based BidSL launched Friday with a product that offers eBay style auctions in Second Life
BidSL allows any Second Life resident to put an item up for auction by renting an available auction device. The user can choose the number of days that the auction will run, and set a minimum bid as well. Items offered can be both virtual items (Second Life goods) or real world items.
The cost of running an auction is charged at a set rate usually around L$1-5, and sellers do not pay a percentage of the sale.
To place a bid on the item, a bidder right-clicks and pays the auction device the amount they wish to bid. If the person is outbid, the amount paid for the earlier bid is instantly refunded.
BidSL also offers a franchise program that offers the franchisee the “full use of the BidSL resources, benefit of our advertising/marketing campaigns, and complete technical assistance and advice.” The franchisee is given a capable auction unit, logo and advertising materials, and even a copy of the BidSL building if they desire. BidSL in return asks for 5% (or a minimum of L$1) of the rent received from the auction units.
I wasn’t online for their official launch at Metaversed’s First Friday, but I did get a chance to tour the facility. It’s new, so there isn’t much to look at, unless you’re in the market for a cross bred unicorn. See the video below. I can’t see millions flocking to use the service, but in a long tail economy it will likely find fans.
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second life is lame. all these secondary servies that pander to just 20000 users are lame. i would rather read about facebook apps than about second life drivel.
This real-world to virtual-world transition is a getting a bit out of hand, first virtual credit cards and now virtual auctions. How long before we get a virtual TechCrunch with it’s own virtual Duncan Riley?
Sounds like an interesting concept though….esp. if your interesting in making linden dollars for use within the SL ecosystem. Not sure it has much commercial potential IMHO.
The big question is can you virtually snipe virtual auctions and then pay for them using your virtual credit card?
The way I see it … I it is JUST my opinion … is that the virtual world semantics want to emulate real world semantics. But just by chance, maybe virtual worlds required different semantics.
I think the commercial potential for virtual world is huge. It all depends in figuring out the right way to interact in a more natural way.
I’ve just sat through a keynote from the CEO of ICANN: one of his key messages: Virtual worlds are the future of global commerce…mind you his example was the Sims and not SL, but it’s close enough
Might make a post out of it.
While interesting this is unecessary because we will soon luanch MSNBuy.com!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
Duncan:
I agree 100%, but again, the current semantics are all wrong I think.
Very interesting. I am curious to see how this will develop. My humble opinion is that I think the current eBay with enough pictures and the possibility to upload your video about the product you are selling is virtual enough and creates enough ‘fun’. Nevertheless very interesting.
Egbert
Auctions at second life is really cool idea cracked… wondering if there is any breakout on social networking sites as well. They are exchange threads out there.. so even specialist auction concepts can be started at social networking sites..
VRML was the big deal at Java’s infancy, but I don’t see it caught on. As for SL, it’s an early stage concept. How does that mesh with a mobile world? Can you even use cell phones on SL?
I agree 100%!